13 Facts About Myrrh

Myrrh is a gum-resin extracted from a number of small, thorny tree species of the genus Commiphora.

Myrrh resin has been used throughout history as a perfume, incense and medicine.

Myrrh is harvested by repeatedly wounding the trees to bleed the gum, which is waxy and coagulates quickly.

Meetiga, the trade-name of Arabian Myrrh, is more brittle and gummy than the Somali variety and does not have the latter's white markings.

Myrrh has been used as an analgesic for toothaches and can be used in liniment for bruises, aches, and sprains.

Related searches

Myrrh gum is commonly claimed to remedy indigestion, ulcers, colds, cough, asthma, lung congestion, arthritis pain, and cancer.

Myrrh was used by the ancient Egyptians, along with natron, for the embalming of mummies.

Myrrh is mentioned as a rare perfume in several places in the Hebrew Bible.

Myrrh was an ingredient of Ketoret: the consecrated incense used in the First and Second Temples at Jerusalem, as described in the Hebrew Bible and Talmud.

Myrrh is listed as an ingredient in the holy anointing oil used to anoint the tabernacle, high priests and kings.

Myrrh was recorded in the first century BC by Diodorus Siculus to have been traded overland and by sea via Nabatean caravans and sea ports, which transported it from Southern Arabia to their capital city of Petra, from which it was distributed throughout the Mediterranean region.

Myrrh is mentioned in the New Testament as one of the three gifts that the magi "from the East" presented to the Christ Child.

Myrrh is used to prepare the sacramental chrism used by many churches of both Eastern and Western rites.